Dual path coin sorting and validating device

ABSTRACT

A coin acceptor is capable of accepting either magnetic or nonmagnetic, legitimate coins of a single denomination. Separate coin paths are provided for testing magnetic and nonmagnetic coins for validity utilizing magnetic graduation and eddy-current separation principles. A coin rail defining the path for nonmagnetic coins is below a coin rail that defines the path for the magnetic coins, and a deposited coin is permitted to gravitate to the lower rail if it is of nonmagnetic composition. However, a guide ramp is provided that shifts into alignment with the upper rail when a magnetic coin is deposited to thereby divert the magnetic coin along the upper path. The guide ramp is shiftable between a normal position clearing the deposited coin and an operative position in alignment with the upper rail, response to the presence of a magnetic material in the deposited coin being provided through the use of a permanent magnet attached to the shiftable guide ramp which senses the deposited coin and shifts the ramp as it is attracted toward the approaching coin.

United States Patent- Inventor Kit E. Pennell Independence, Mo.

Appl. No. 717,306

Filed Mar. 29, 1968 Patented Jan. 19, 1971 Assignee The Vendo CompanyKansas City, M0. a corporation of Missouri DUAL PATH COIN SORTING ANDVALIDATING Primary Examiner-Stanley H. Tollberg Attorney-Schmidt,Johnson, Hovey, Williams & Chase ABSTRACT: A coin acceptor is capable ofaccepting either magnetic or nonmagnetic, legitimate coins of a singledenomination. Separate coin paths are provided for testing magnetic andnonmagnetic coins for validity utilizing magnetic graduation andeddy-current separation principles. A coin rail defining the path fornonmagnetic coins is below a coin rail that defines the path for themagnetic coins, and a deposited coin is permitted to gravitate to thelower rail if it is of nonmagnetic composition. However, a guide ramp isprovided that shifts into alignment with the upper rail when a magneticcoin is deposited to thereby divert the magnetic coin along the upperpath. The guide ramp is shiftable between a normal position clearing thedeposited coin and an operative position in alignment with the upperrail, response to the presence of a magnetic material in the depositedcoin being provided through the use of a permanent magnet attached tothe shiftable guide ramp which senses the deposited coin and shifts theramp as it is attracted toward the approaching coin.

PATENTEDMN 1 9 I9?! snwa or 3 INVENTOR' 1 Kif E. Pennell )RNliYa.

DUAL PATH COIN SORTING AND VALIDATING DEVICE A proposed change in thecomposition, of Canadian dimes and quarters from nonmagnetic coinagematerial to pure nickel has producedthe need for a coin acceptot forvending machines that is capable of handling present Canadian and UnitedStates nonmagnetic coins plus the proposed nickel Canadian coinage whichis magnetic. In the'case of quarters, for example. the present Canadianquarter and older United States quarters are of nonmagnetic; silveralloycomposition. The clad composition of newer U.S. quarters is similarlynonmagnetic and of approximately the same electrical conductivity as thesilver alloy coinage. Thus, since both U.S,. and Canadian quarters areof approximately the same size. the eddy-current separator may presentlybe utilized in accepters at border sites for slug rejection and coinvalidation.

However, it is apparent that the proposed pure nickel Canadian coinageis unsuitable for eddy-current separation v since the intensity of themagnetic field utilized in eddy-current validators holds a magnetic coinand prevents acceptance. Therefore, if a common acceptor is to beutilized for legitimate coinage of both magnetic and nonmagneticcomposition, it is requisite that the magnetic coinage be precluded fromsubjection to magnetic fields of high holding power and yet some meansof rejecting ferrous slugs must be provided or present levels of slugprotection will be sacrificed.

It is, therefore, an important object of this invention to provide ahigh security coin acceptor of maximum flexibility for validating bothmagnetic and nonmagnetic coinage and rejecting counterfeit coinage ofeither the magnetic or nonmagnetic type that may be deposited by anunscrupulous customer.

As a corollary to the foregoing object, it. is animportant aim of theinstant invention to provide a coin acceptor which will accept purenickel coinage and valid nonmagnetic coins in order that a commonacceptor may be utilizedin applications suchas discussed above wherebothlegitimate and counterfeit coins of both compositions are to beencountered.

'Another important object of the invention is to provide a coin-handlingdevice which will direct magnetic and nonmagnetic coinage along separatepaths of travelin-order to effect sorting of the coinage by compositionclassification.

A further and important object of this invention is to provide acoin-handling device asaforesaid .capable of testing magnetic coins andnonmagnetic coins for validity in their respective paths, and which willnot accept a magnetic coin traversing the path for nonmagnetic coins ora nonmagnetic coin that is traversing the path for magnetic coins, inorder to preclude the possible acceptance of counterfeit coinage in theevent that a coin should become misdirected into the improper path.

In the drawings:

FIG. I is a front elevational view of one embodiment of the acceptor;

FIG. 2 is a rear elevational view of the'frontmounting plate assembly ofthe acceptor of FIG. 1 showing the various components thereon in detail;1

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary. front elevational view of the acceptor of FIG.1 showing the cradle upon release thereof by a gravitating coin; I i

FIG. 4 is a front elevational view .of the acceptor of FIG. 1

showing the front mounting plate and othercomponents removed to revealthe rear plate of the unit;

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 5-5 of FIG.

FIG. 6 isa cross-sectional view taken along line 66 of FIG. 1; p

FIG. 7 is a view identical to FIG. 6.exceptthat themagneticallyresponsive coin guide is shown in a position supporting a Pmagnetic coin thereon;

FIG. 10 is a view similar to FIG. 2 but showing a second embodiment ofthe acceptor of the instant invention; and

FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 11-11 of FIG. 10showing the shiftable coin guide in a position for supporting a magneticcoin.

Referring to FIGS. l9, a coin acceptor 20 has a rear plate 22 providedwith a pair of forwardly extending side flanges A front mounting plateassembly 26 is attached to the righthand side flange 24 (as viewed inFIG. 1) by a hinge pin 28 and is biased toward the rear plate 22 by aspring 30.

An entrance funnel for deposited coinage is provided at the upper edgesof rear plate 22 and plate assembly 26 and serves to guide individualcoins into a cradle 34 having coin-receiving lugs 36 and 38 extendingthrough respective apertures in plate assembly 26. The cradle 34 isrotatably mounted on the front of plate assembly 26 and serves the usualfunction of checking incoming coins for proper weight and diameter. Thecradle 34 is held in the normal position illustrated in FIGS. I and 2 bya latch 40 rotatably mounted on cradle 34 in eccentric relationshipthereto. The latch 40 has a dog 42 extending into the coin channeldefined by entrance funnel 32 and disposed adjacent the lug 36 forengagement by an incoming coin to release the latch 40.

An inclined coin rail 44 is mounted on plate assembly 26 and has apermanent magnet 46 therebelow of generally U- shaped configuration,presenting a pair of spaced pole faces 48adjacent a rounded portion 50ofrail 44 that defines the lower end thereof. The main section of rail 44is composed of nonmagnetic material, but a generally sector-shapedsection 52 presenting end 50 is composed of a magnetic material and, asis apparent, is disposed in the field of magnet 46. I

A second, inclined coin rail 54 is spaced beneath rail 44 and extends inparallelism therewith, the lower end 56 of rail 54 terminating short ofthe end 50 of the upper rail 44. It may be -seen, however, that theupper end 58" of rail 54 extends beyond rail 44 and into generallyaligned relationship with the coin channel defined by the entrancefunnel 32 thereabove. A

thickness gauge for coins traveling along rail 54 is provided by thespacing between the flat face of a rectangular element 60 and thealigned end of a screw 62 threaded into rear plate 22 and adjustablefrom the backside of acceptor 20.

A pivotal member 64 is mounted on the front side of plate assembly 26and depends from'a horizontally extending hinge pin 66 disposed at thelevel of the lower end of entrance funnel 32. The member 64 has anupright leg 68 upon which a rod-shaped, permanent bar magnet 70 ismounted approximately midway between hinge pin 66 and the lowerextremity of leg 68. A coin guide 72 is integrally formed with leg 68 atthe lower extremity thereof and extends into an opening 74 in plateassembly 26 (FIG. 6). The counterbalancing effect of the weight of barmagnet 70 normally maintains member 64 in the position illustrated inFIG. 6 where guide 72 is withdrawn from a downwardly extending coinpassage 76 communicating with the coin channel defined by the entrancefunnel 32 'thereabove. Note that a downtumed lip on the outer edge ofshown resting on guide 7 2, the latter forming a ramp which is alignedwith theupper coin rail 44 when guide 72 is shifted inwardly intoblocking relationship to coin passage '76.

Referring to FIG. 4, an upper deflector 78 is shown ad- I justablymounted in a position to deflect coins under certain circumstances to bediscussed trajecting from the upper rail 44. A lower deflector 80 isshown adjustably mounted for deflecting certain coins trajecting fromthe lower coin rail 54. A forwardly projecting separator 82 beneath andto the left of deflector 80 is used in conjunctionwith both of the coinrails 44 and 54, a common accept track for valid coins gravitating fromrails 44 and 54 being defined'between separator 82 and the right sideflange 24 of rear plate 22. The accept track ineludes an upperpassageway 84 (FIG. 5) communicating with a coin exit opening 86 in rearplate 22 which, in turn. empties into a lower passageway 88 where theaccepted coin is directed to the other coin-handling apparatus of thevending machine (not shown).

Other components on the rear plate 22 include a disc 90 of magneticmaterial which is in opposed, closely spaced relationship to the polefaces 48 of magnet 46. Additionally. a scavenge lever 92 is shownmounted on a pivot pin 94 and is provided with a cam 96 for engagementwith a follower roller 98 (FIG. 1) carried by plate assembly 26. Thescavenge lever 92 is spring-biased toward the normal position thereofil|us tratcd and. when depressed, cam 96 engages roller 98 to swingplate assembly 26 about hinge pin 28 away from the rear plate 22 toremove the coin rail 44 or 54 from beneath a coin to be rejected. Asuitable scavenge wiper (not shown) would also be employed and wouldextend from the lever 92 for operation thereby in the usual manner.Rejected coins pass to the left of separator 82 as viewed in FIGS. 4, 8and 9.

With reference to FIGS. and 11, the components of the second embodimentof the invention there shown that are substantially identical tocomponents described above are designated by the same reference numeralswith the addition of the a notation. The views of FIGS. 10 and 11 aresimplified and serve to illustrate that, alternatively, a second cradle100 may be disposed beneath the first cradle 34a for receiving anddirecting an incoming coin onto a lower coin rail 102 which replaces thecoin rail 54 of the first embodiment described above. An additionalpermanent magnet is utilized and disposed such that a coin travelingalong rail 102 must pass directly across its pole faces 104.Alternatively, an upper extension on rail 102 could be employed in placeof the lower cradle 100 to direct coins onto the rail 102 for ultimategravitation from the lower end 106 thereof.

A comparison of the two embodiments is bestmade by viewing FIGS. 6 or 7and 11. In FIG. 6 it is clear that the coin rails 44 and 54 arevertically offset and that the coin paths defined thereby partiallyoverlap. In the embodiment of FIGS. 10 and 11, however, the two rails44a and 102 are disposed in a common vertical plane and the coin pathsdefined thereby do not overlap. For coins of a given diameter, it shouldbe understood that a greater vertical spacing between the rails isrequired in the second embodiment. Note the provision of a shoulder 108for deflecting a deposited coin into the lower cradle 100 if the guideramp 72a is withdrawn.

OPERATION The operational principles for both embodiments of theinvention are the same. When a deposited coin enters funnel 32 it isdirected into the cradle 34 and strikes lugs 36 and 38 and the releasedog 42 of latch 40. This rotates latch 40 slightly counterclockwise asviewed in FIG 1, permitting cradle 34 to rotatein a clockwise directionunder the weight of the coin (FIG. 3). The incoming coin, if composed ofa magnetic material, is thus brought into the field of the bar magnetic70 carried by member 64. Therefore, a magnetic coin causes member 64 topivot about hinge pin 66 and shift from the position thereof illustratedin FIG. 6 to the coin-supporting position illustrated in FIG. 7. Withthe guide r'amp 72 inserted into the coin passage 76, the coin isprevented from gravitating further downwardly and is diverted toward theupper rail 44. Conversely, if a coin of nonmagnetic material isdeposited, such coin will have no effect on the pivotal member 64 andwill gravitate downwardly through passage 76 until it comes to rest onthe lower rail 54 (FIG. 6), whereupon the coin then commences movementalong the path of travel defined by the lower rail 54.

From the foregoing, it may be appreciated that magnetic coins andnonmagnetic coins are handled in separate paths of travel once the sameare introduced into the acceptor20. The upper rail 44 for magnetic coinstrajects the same from its lower end 50 for further separation inaccordance with a magnetic graduation effect caused by the presence ofthe magnetized section 52. Since section 52 is not highly magnetized byvirtue of being spaced from the pole faces 48 of magnet 46. magneticcoins rolling along rail 44 will not be held on the rail by magneticattraction but. instead. traject from the lower end 50 thereof asillustrated diagrammatically in FIG. 8. Steel coins (slugs) orillegitimateicoinagc composed of other highly magnetic, ferrousmaterials follow the trajectory designated 110 and wrap" around thelower end 50 due to the high magnetic attraction. Less magnetic coinage.such as the proposed pure nickel Canadian quarter, follows thetrajectory designated 112 and are only partially wrapped around the end50 by the effect of the magnetized rail section 52. Thus. a coin of purenickel composition is directed into the accept track while steel slugsare rejected. If. for some reason, a malfunction should occur and theguide ramp 72 directs a nonmagnetic coin onto rail 44. such coin is notaffected by the magnetic field and strikes the deflector 78, whereuponthe nonmagnetic coin is deflected along a trajectory 114 and is rejectedin the same manner as a steel slug. Thus, whether legitimate orcounterfeit, nonmagnetic coins directed onto the upper rail 44 will notbe accepted.

Since a nonmagnetic coin will not cause the guide ramp 72' to be drawninwardly into blocking relationship to the coin passage 76. thenonmagnetic coin rolls down the lower ramp 54 directly across the polefaces 48 and into the strong magnetic field at the pole faces 48. Therail 54 is of nonmagnetic material and the field of magnet 46 adjacentthe lower end 56 of rail 54 is further intensified by the disc 90 ofmagnetic material to provide an efficient eddy-current-type separatorfor the nonmagnetic coins. Referring to FIG. 9, coins composed ofmetallic materials of relatively low electrical conductivity are lessaffected by the braking action of the magnetic field and follow a longertrajectory designated 116, resulting in the deflecting of such coinsfrom deflector to the left of separator 82 for rejection. Coins or slugsthat would follow the trajectory 116 include those of zinc. brass, leador nonmagnetic stainless steel composition. A valid, silver alloy orclad coin, being more conductive, follows an intermediate trajectory 118and passes to the right of separator 82 into the accept track. Slugs ofhighly conductive materials such as copper are subjected to maximumbraking action and follow the shortest trajectory 120, thus passing tothe left of separator 82 for rejection.

The eddy-current separator just described is also foolproof in thatmagnetic coins which might for some reason be permitted to fall ontorail 54 are not accepted whether legitimate or counterfeit. It isapparent that the strong magnetic field adjacent the end 56 of railS4'will hold any magnetic coin and require that the same be dislodgedfrom magnet 46 by scavenging.

With respect to the second embodiment of the invention illustrated inFIGS. 10 and 11, operation is identical to that as described aboveexcept that nonmagnetic coins permitted to gravitate to the lower rail102 now pass across the pole faces 104 of a separate magnet. Manifestly,the spacing between the deflectors 78 and 80 will be different for thesecond embodiment since the rails 44a and 102 are spaced a greaterdistance apart to provide the nonoverlapping, coplanar coin paths.

From the foregoing, it is evident that the teachings of the instantinvention are also equally applicable to coinage of other denominationsof any nation where both legitimate magnetic and nonmagnetic coins ofthe same denomination are encountered. Furthermore, separate dual pathvalidators of the type shown and described herein may be provided in asingle acceptor for each coin denomination where this duplicity is to beencountered.

I claim:

1. In a coin acceptor:

means for receiving deposited coins and sensing whether each of thelatter is magnetic;

coin testing structure presenting a pair of coin paths;

said receiving and sensing means being disposed adjacent said structurefor directing each deposited coin thereinto for travel along one of saidpaths if the coin is magnetic and along the other of said paths if thecoin is nonmagnetic;

said structure having magnetic coin-validating means for accepting validcoins and rejecting. invalid coins traveling along said one path, andnonmagnetic coin validating means for accepting valid coins andrejecting invalid coins traveling along said otherpath;

said magnetic coin-validating means including a first,

inclined, coin-supporting rail defining said one path;

said nonmagnetic coin-validating means including a second,

inclined, coin-supporting rail beneath said first rail and defining saidother path; 3

said first rail having a lower end and a magnetized section presentingsaid end; said second rail having a lower end and said nonmagneticcoin-validating means further including a magnet adjacent said end ofthe second rail and provided with poles disposed inclosely spacedrelationship to coins gravitating over said end of the second rail,whereby to provide eddy-current braking of nonmagnetic coins thereon,

there being means beneath said rails defining a common track for coinsaccepted by said testing structure;

said magnetic and nonmagnetic coin-validating means being disposed toimpart trajectories to valid coins gravitating from the ends ofrespective rails extending into said common accept track.

2. In a coin acceptor as claimed in claim 1, said receiving and sensingmeans including a shiftable coin guide movable between a first positionwhere a deposited coin is directed along said one path, and a secondposition where the deposited coin is directed along said other path.

3. In a coin acceptor as claimed in claim 2, said receiving and sensingmeans further including means responsive to the deposit of a magneticcoin for shifting said guide from said second position to said firstposition thereof 4. In a coin acceptor:

means for receiving deposited coins and sensing whether each of thelatter is magnetic; and

coin testing structure presenting a pair of coin paths;

said receiving and sensing means being disposed adjacent said structurefor directing each deposited coin thereinto for travel along one of saidpaths if the coin is magnetic and along the other of said paths if thecoin is nonmagnetic;

said structure having magnetic coin-validating means for accepting validcoins and rejecting invalid coins traveling along said one path. andnonmagnetic-coin validating means for accepting valid coins andrejecting invalid coins traveling along said other'path;

said magnetic coin-validating means including a first,

inclined, coin-supporting rail defining said one path; said nonmagneticcoin-validating means including a second, inclined, coin-supporting railbeneath said first rail and defining said other path;

said rails being vertically offset and sufficiently closely spaced topartially overlap said paths;

said first rail having a lower end and a magnetic section presentingsaid end;

said second rail having'a lower end and said nonmagnetic coin-validatingmeans further including a magnet adjacent both of said ends and providedwith poles disposed in closely spaced relationship to coins gravitatingover said end of the second rail, whereby to provide eddy-currentbraking of nonmagnetic coins thereon;

said magnet having a field magnetically coupled with said section tomagnetize the latter, 5. ln a coin acceptor:

means for receiving deposited coins and sensing whether means foraccepting valid coins and rejecting invalid coins traveling along saidother path;

said magnetic coin-validating means including a first,

inclined, coin-supporting rail defining said one path:

said nonmagnetic coin-validating means including a second, inclined,coin-supporting rail beneath said first rail and defining said otherpath;

said rails being disposed in a common vertical plane;

said first rail having a lower end and a magnetic section presentingsaid end, and said magnetic coin-validating means further including amagnet having a field magnetically coupled with said section tomagnetize the latter;

said second rail having a lower end and said nonmagnetic coin-validatingmeans further including a magnet adjacent said end of the second railand provided with poles disposed in closely spaced relationship to coinsgravitating over said end of the second rail, whereby to provideeddy-current braking of nonmagnetic coins thereon.

6. In a coin acceptor:

means for receiving deposited coins and sensing whether each of thelatter is magnetic; and

' coin testing structure presenting a pair of coin paths;

said receiving and sensing means being disposed adjacent said structurefor directing each deposited coin thereinto for travel along one of saidpaths if the coin is magnetic and along the other of said paths if thecoin is nonmagnetic;

said structure having magnetic coin-validating means for accepting validcoins and rejecting invalid coins traveling along said one path, andnonmagnetic coin-validating means for accepting valid coins andrejecting invalid coins traveling along said other path;

said magnetic coin-validating means including a first, inclined,coin-supporting rail defining said one path and having a lower end and amagnetized section presenting said end, whereby different trajectoriesare imparted to highly magnetic invalid coins and less magnetic validCOInS;

said nonmagnetic coin-validating means including a second, inclined,coin-supporting rail defining said other path and having a lower end,and a magnet adjacent said end of the second rail and provided withpoles disposed in closely spaced relationship to coins gravitating oversaid end of the second rail, whereby to provide eddy-current braking ofnonmagnetic coins thereon and to stop and hold magnetic coins thereon;

said testing structure having deflector means spaced from said end ofthe first rail for deflecting nonmagnetic coins gravitatingtherefrom-along the same trajectory as said highly magnetic invalidcoins whereby, in the event that deposited coins are directed alongimproper paths,

. neither coin validating means will effect an acceptance.

1. In a coin acceptor: means for receiving deposited coins and sensingwhether each of the latter is magnetic; coin testing structurepresenting a pair of coin paths; said receiving and sensing means beingdisposed adjacent said structure for directing each deposited cointhereinto for travel along one of said paths if the coin is magnetic andalong the other of said paths if the coin is nonmagnetic; said structurehaving magnetic coin-validating means for accepting valid coins andrejecting invalid coins traveling along said one path, and nonmagneticcoin validating means for accepting valid coins and rejecting invalidcoins traveling along said other path; said magnetic coin-validatingmeans including a first, inclined, coin-supporting rail defining saidone path; said nonmagnetic coin-validating means including a second,inclined, coin-supporting rail beneath said first rail and defining saidother path; said first rail having a lower end and a magnetized sectionpresenting said end; said second rail having a lower end and saidnonmagnetic coinvalidating means further including a magnet adjacentsaid end of the second rail and provided with poles disposed in closelyspaced relationship to coins gravitating over said end of the secondrail, whereby to provide eddy-current braking of nonmagnetic coinsthereon, there being means beneath said rails defining a common trackfor coins accepted by said testing structure; said magnetic andnonmagnetic coin-validating means being disposed to impart trajectoriesto valid coins gravitating from the ends of respective rails extendinginto said common accept track.
 2. In a coin acceptor as claimed in claim1, said receiving and sensing means including a shiftable coin guidemovablE between a first position where a deposited coin is directedalong said one path, and a second position where the deposited coin isdirected along said other path.
 3. In a coin acceptor as claimed inclaim 2, said receiving and sensing means further including meansresponsive to the deposit of a magnetic coin for shifting said guidefrom said second position to said first position thereof.
 4. In a coinacceptor: means for receiving deposited coins and sensing whether eachof the latter is magnetic; and coin testing structure presenting a pairof coin paths; said receiving and sensing means being disposed adjacentsaid structure for directing each deposited coin thereinto for travelalong one of said paths if the coin is magnetic and along the other ofsaid paths if the coin is nonmagnetic; said structure having magneticcoin-validating means for accepting valid coins and rejecting invalidcoins traveling along said one path, and nonmagnetic-coin validatingmeans for accepting valid coins and rejecting invalid coins travelingalong said other path; said magnetic coin-validating means including afirst, inclined, coin-supporting rail defining said one path; saidnonmagnetic coin-validating means including a second, inclined,coin-supporting rail beneath said first rail and defining said otherpath; said rails being vertically offset and sufficiently closely spacedto partially overlap said paths; said first rail having a lower end anda magnetic section presenting said end; said second rail having a lowerend and said nonmagnetic coin-validating means further including amagnet adjacent both of said ends and provided with poles disposed inclosely spaced relationship to coins gravitating over said end of thesecond rail, whereby to provide eddy-current braking of nonmagneticcoins thereon; said magnet having a field magnetically coupled with saidsection to magnetize the latter.
 5. In a coin acceptor: means forreceiving deposited coins and sensing whether each of the latter ismagnetic; and coin testing structure presenting a pair of coin paths;said receiving and sensing means being disposed adjacent said structurefor directing each deposited coin thereinto for travel along one of saidpaths if the coin is magnetic and along the other of said paths if thecoin is nonmagnetic; said structure having magnetic coin-validatingmeans for accepting valid coins and rejecting invalid coins travelingalong said one path, and nonmagnetic coin-validating means for acceptingvalid coins and rejecting invalid coins traveling along said other path;said magnetic coin-validating means including a first, inclined,coin-supporting rail defining said one path: said nonmagneticcoin-validating means including a second, inclined, coin-supporting railbeneath said first rail and defining said other path; said rails beingdisposed in a common vertical plane; said first rail having a lower endand a magnetic section presenting said end, and said magneticcoin-validating means further including a magnet having a fieldmagnetically coupled with said section to magnetize the latter; saidsecond rail having a lower end and said nonmagnetic coin-validatingmeans further including a magnet adjacent said end of the second railand provided with poles disposed in closely spaced relationship to coinsgravitating over said end of the second rail, whereby to provideeddy-current braking of nonmagnetic coins thereon.
 6. In a coinacceptor: means for receiving deposited coins and sensing whether eachof the latter is magnetic; and coin testing structure presenting a pairof coin paths; said receiving and sensing means being disposed adjacentsaid structure for directing each deposited coin thereinto for travelalong one of said paths if the coin is magnetic and along the other ofsaid paths if the coin is nonmagnetic; said structure having magneticcoin-validating means for accEpting valid coins and rejecting invalidcoins traveling along said one path, and nonmagnetic coin-validatingmeans for accepting valid coins and rejecting invalid coins travelingalong said other path; said magnetic coin-validating means including afirst, inclined, coin-supporting rail defining said one path and havinga lower end and a magnetized section presenting said end, wherebydifferent trajectories are imparted to highly magnetic invalid coins andless magnetic valid coins; said nonmagnetic coin-validating meansincluding a second, inclined, coin-supporting rail defining said otherpath and having a lower end, and a magnet adjacent said end of thesecond rail and provided with poles disposed in closely spacedrelationship to coins gravitating over said end of the second rail,whereby to provide eddy-current braking of nonmagnetic coins thereon andto stop and hold magnetic coins thereon; said testing structure havingdeflector means spaced from said end of the first rail for deflectingnonmagnetic coins gravitating therefrom along the same trajectory assaid highly magnetic invalid coins whereby, in the event that depositedcoins are directed along improper paths, neither coin validating meanswill effect an acceptance.